Exerciser



Jan. 11, 19 38. H HUSSMANN 2,104,927

EXERCISER Filed April 12, 1957 Far?" L/fiasmann ATTORNEY at O PatentedJan. 11, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT oFricE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an implement for exercising the human foot,both as a means for strengthening the muscles of'the foot and for thepurpose of correcting certain foot deformities or abnormal conditions.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a simplified lessexpensive foot exerciser, and one that will be very durable and easy touse. Also to provide a single article which will be adaptedsimultaneously to exercise both feet of the user, and which will beconstructed in such a manner as to aid the user in keeping his feet outof contact with each other while he is making use of the device toexercise them.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved article formassaging the soles of the feet while it is being used to exercise thefoot muscles.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improvedmassaging and exercising artiole, which may be used by an operator on apatient of the human body.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention may hereinafterappear.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates what is atpresent deemed to be a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the footexerciser implement shownconsists of an approximately fusiform body l0 surrounded at each endwith a rounded ridge II .and desirably having through it an axial boreor passage l2.

The body portion In of the implement is shown having, throughout itsmid-length portion, a cylindrical exterior surface l3, and from each endof this surface a frusto-conical area l4 extends to'the inner side ofthe ridge II at that end of the implement. The surface l4, however neednot be truly frusto-conical, but could, for example, be of alongitudinally concaved or convexed character without departing from thescope of the claimed invention.

The hole l2 through the implement serves to roll the exerciser upon .amandrel, and to lighten its weight, and is partially desirable when acast metal or other heavy material is used. The implement may, however,be made of wood, or of formed sheet metal.

In using the implement as a foot exerciser the subject, while occupyinga chair or other seat, will place the implement upon the portion of thefloor underlying his feet and, while pressing upon the implement withthe soles of his feet will roll the implement back and forth upon thefloor. In doing this he will place a foot upon each frusto-conicalsurface it. The outward taper of each of said surfaces it will tend tokeep the feet out of contact with each other, while the ridges Ii willkeep the feet from sliding off from the ends of the implement. Owing tothe transversely rounded character of said ridges they form smooth,comfortable abutments engageable by the outer sides of the feet of theuser.

Owing to the fact that the ridges II are preferably of a somewhatgreater diameter than the intermediate portion of the implement saidintermediate portion is kept out of contact with the floor and hence,during the exercise of the feet, does not pick up dust or germs from thefloor and transfer the same to the soles of the feet. Furthermore, thecircular ridges Ii travel upon the floor and therefore exercise the legmuscles to a greater extent, by necessitating longer leg movements thantake place in devices where the roller does not bodily move back andforth when used as an exerciser.

I claim:

1. A foot exerciser consisting solely of an elongated symmetrical bodyhaving a central portion of a substantially uniform diameter, therebeing a uniform decrease in the diameter of said body at each side ofsaid central portion, said decreasing diameter being terminated by acircular ridge portion at each end of said body, the diameter of each ofsaid ridge portions being greater than the diameter of said centralportion.

2. A foot exerciser consisting of an elongated body having asubstantially cylindrical central portion and outwardly taperingfrusto-conical end portions, and having around each end a circularridge, said body being adapted for being rolled back and forth upon afloor under pressure simultaneously from the soles of both feet of aperson in a seated posture, said end ridges being of a greater diameterthan the intermediate portion of the implement in order to keep saidintermediate portion thereof out of contact with a plane surface uponwhich the implement a is supportable.

HARRY L. HUSSMANN.

